# Software Engineering Manager
**Role:** Software Engineering Manager · **Level:** L2
**Company:** [Verkada](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/verkada)
**Difficulty:** High
**Salary:** US$170000 - US$220000
**Experience:** 5 - 8
**Timeline:** ~14 days
Verkada's Software Engineering Manager (L2) interview process is designed to assess a candidate's technical leadership, people management skills, and strategic thinking. It evaluates their ability to build and lead high-performing engineering teams, drive technical excellence, and contribute to the company's overall product vision.
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/interviews/verkada/l2-software-engineering-manager
---
## Overall evaluation

- Leadership & Technical Acumen
- People Management & Collaboration
- Strategic Thinking & Business Impact

## Questions asked

- Tell me about a time you had to manage a difficult stakeholder relationship. How did you handle it?
- Describe your approach to hiring and building a high-performing engineering team.
- How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your team?
- Walk me through a complex technical project you led from conception to completion. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?
- How do you balance the need for speed with the importance of code quality and technical debt?
- Describe a situation where you had to make a significant technical decision with incomplete information. What was your process?
- How do you mentor and develop engineers on your team, particularly those who are struggling or looking to grow?
- What is your philosophy on performance management and providing constructive feedback?
- How do you stay current with emerging technologies and ensure your team is leveraging the right tools?
- Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn from it, and how did it change your approach?

## Preparation tips

### lists

- Deeply understand Verkada's mission, values, and products.
- Review common software engineering management interview questions, focusing on behavioral and situational examples.
- Prepare specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to illustrate your experience.
- Brush up on system design principles, scalability, and distributed systems.
- Think about your leadership philosophy and how you foster a positive and productive team environment.
- Be ready to discuss your approach to hiring, performance management, and career development for engineers.
- Familiarize yourself with agile methodologies and project management best practices.
- Consider potential challenges in managing engineering teams and how you would address them.

### studyPlan

- {"title":"Company & Behavioral Foundation","longDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Focus on understanding Verkada's business, product, and engineering culture. Review company blogs, press releases, and product documentation. Begin preparing behavioral questions related to leadership, team management, conflict resolution, and decision-making using the STAR method. Study core software engineering principles and common interview topics.","shortDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Verkada culture, behavioral prep (STAR), core SWE principles."}
- {"title":"Technical Depth & People Management","longDescription":"Weeks 3-4: Deep dive into system design and architecture. Practice designing scalable and reliable systems. Review common system design interview questions and case studies. Prepare to discuss trade-offs and architectural decisions. Also, focus on people management aspects like hiring, performance reviews, and career growth.","shortDescription":"Weeks 3-4: System design practice, architecture, people management strategies."}
- {"title":"Mock Interviews & Final Preparation","longDescription":"Week 5: Conduct mock interviews with peers or mentors, focusing on both technical and behavioral aspects. Refine your answers and delivery. Prepare questions to ask the interviewers about the role, team, and company. Finalize your understanding of Verkada's strategic goals and how your role contributes.","shortDescription":"Week 5: Mock interviews, refine answers, prepare questions for interviewers."}

## Location differences

- {"location":"Remote/Hybrid","differences":{"tips":["Highlight experience with global teams and remote work best practices.","Be prepared to discuss specific tools and methodologies for managing distributed engineering efforts.","Emphasize your ability to build strong relationships and foster a positive team culture regardless of location."],"interviewFocus":["Adaptability to remote/hybrid management styles","Cross-cultural communication and collaboration","Tools and strategies for managing distributed teams"],"commonQuestions":["How do you handle underperforming engineers in a remote setting?","Describe a time you had to manage a conflict between engineers on different continents.","What are your strategies for fostering team cohesion and collaboration in a hybrid work environment?"]}}
- {"location":"On-site (e.g., San Mateo, CA)","differences":{"tips":["Be ready to discuss specific technical challenges you've overcome.","Showcase your ability to mentor engineers and guide them through complex technical problems.","Demonstrate a strong understanding of system design and scalability principles."],"interviewFocus":["Technical depth and breadth","Problem-solving and decision-making under pressure","Understanding of software development lifecycle and best practices"],"commonQuestions":["How do you balance the need for rapid iteration with maintaining code quality in a fast-paced environment?","Describe a time you had to make a difficult technical trade-off decision.","How do you ensure your team stays up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies?"]}}

## Round 1: HR/Recruiter Screen
**Type:** Recruiter Screen · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 30 min
Initial screening to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
This initial screening call with a recruiter aims to assess your overall fit for the role and Verkada. The recruiter will discuss your background, career aspirations, and motivation for applying. They will also provide an overview of the company and the interview process. This is a good opportunity to ask clarifying questions about the role and the company culture.
**Interviewers look for:** Positive attitude; Clear communication; Genuine interest in Verkada; Alignment with company values
**Evaluation criteria:** Communication skills; Cultural fit; Enthusiasm for the role and company; Basic understanding of the role's requirements
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of clear communication; Inability to provide specific examples; Poor listening skills; Negative attitude or lack of enthusiasm
## Questions

- Tell me about yourself and your career path.
- Why are you interested in Verkada and this Software Engineering Manager role?
- What are your salary expectations?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses as a manager?

## Preparation tips

- Research Verkada's mission, values, and recent news.
- Prepare a concise summary of your career journey and why you're interested in this specific role.
- Be ready to discuss your salary expectations.
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the recruiter.

## Round 2: System Design & Architecture
**Type:** System Design Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min
Assesses system design, architecture, and technical problem-solving skills.
This technical interview focuses on your system design and architectural capabilities. You will be asked to design a complex system, discuss trade-offs, and justify your design choices. The interviewer will assess your understanding of scalability, reliability, and performance. Be prepared to whiteboard your design and explain your thought process.
**Interviewers look for:** Strong understanding of software architecture; Ability to design scalable and robust systems; Logical and structured problem-solving approach; Clear communication of technical ideas
**Evaluation criteria:** Technical depth and breadth; System design and architecture skills; Problem-solving methodology; Ability to articulate technical trade-offs
**Common rejection reasons:** Inability to articulate technical concepts clearly; Lack of depth in system design; Poor problem-solving approach; Difficulty in explaining past technical decisions
## Questions

- Design a system like Twitter's news feed.
- How would you design a distributed key-value store?
- Discuss the trade-offs between SQL and NoSQL databases for a specific use case.
- How would you design a rate limiter for an API?

## Preparation tips

- Review system design fundamentals (e.g., databases, caching, load balancing, APIs).
- Practice designing common systems (e.g., URL shortener, social media feed, chat application).
- Think about scalability, availability, and consistency trade-offs.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with different technologies and their pros/cons.

## Round 3: People Management & Leadership
**Type:** Behavioral & People Management Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 60 min
Evaluates people management, leadership, and team development skills.
This interview focuses on your people management and leadership experience. You'll be asked behavioral questions about how you've managed teams, handled conflicts, developed engineers, and driven team performance. Use the STAR method to provide specific examples of your successes and challenges.
**Interviewers look for:** Proven ability to lead and motivate teams; Experience in mentoring and growing engineers; Effective strategies for managing performance and addressing underperformance; Strong communication and interpersonal skills
**Evaluation criteria:** People management skills; Leadership effectiveness; Team building and development; Conflict resolution and performance management
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of clear examples for management scenarios; Inability to demonstrate leadership impact; Poor conflict resolution strategies; Difficulty in explaining team development approaches
## Questions

- Describe a time you had to manage an underperforming engineer. What steps did you take?
- How do you motivate your team during challenging projects?
- Tell me about a time you had to resolve a conflict between team members.
- How do you delegate tasks effectively?

## Preparation tips

- Prepare examples using the STAR method for common management scenarios (hiring, firing, performance reviews, conflict resolution, motivation).
- Think about your leadership philosophy and how you create a positive team environment.
- Be ready to discuss how you handle technical disagreements within a team.
- Consider how you foster career growth and development for your team members.

## Round 4: Managerial & Strategic Alignment
**Type:** Managerial & Strategic Interview · **Difficulty:** High · **Duration:** 45 min
Assesses strategic thinking, business acumen, and cross-functional collaboration.
This interview with a senior leader assesses your strategic thinking, business acumen, and ability to align technical execution with business goals. You'll discuss your experience in product strategy, cross-functional collaboration, and how you drive impact at a broader level. Be prepared to discuss your vision for engineering teams and how you contribute to the company's success.
**Interviewers look for:** Ability to think strategically about product and technology; Understanding of business objectives and how engineering contributes; Experience working with product managers and other stakeholders; Strong decision-making and prioritization skills
**Evaluation criteria:** Strategic thinking; Business acumen; Cross-functional collaboration; Prioritization and execution
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of strategic vision; Inability to align technical decisions with business goals; Poor communication with cross-functional teams; Difficulty in prioritizing effectively
## Questions

- How do you balance technical innovation with delivering on product roadmaps?
- Describe your experience working with product managers. How do you ensure alignment?
- What are the key metrics you track to measure team performance and success?
- How would you prioritize competing demands from different stakeholders?

## Preparation tips

- Understand Verkada's business model, target market, and competitive landscape.
- Think about how engineering decisions impact business outcomes.
- Prepare examples of how you've collaborated with product management and other departments.
- Articulate your vision for building and scaling engineering organizations.

## Round 5: Final Managerial & Cultural Fit
**Type:** Final Interview / Cultural Fit · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 45 min
Final discussion on cultural fit, vision, and overall alignment.
This final interview is often with the hiring manager or a peer manager. It's a chance to discuss your overall fit, leadership philosophy, and vision for the team. The interviewer will also assess your alignment with Verkada's culture and values. This is also your opportunity to ask any remaining questions and ensure this is the right role for you.
**Interviewers look for:** Alignment with Verkada's core values; Enthusiasm and passion for the role; Ability to articulate a compelling vision; Good rapport and potential for positive team dynamics
**Evaluation criteria:** Cultural alignment; Values assessment; Overall fit with the team and company; Candidate's questions and engagement
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of alignment with company values; Poor cultural fit; Inability to articulate a clear vision; Lack of passion or enthusiasm
## Questions

- What are Verkada's core values, and how do you embody them?
- What is your vision for an engineering team at Verkada?
- How do you handle ambiguity and change?
- What are you looking for in your next role?

## Preparation tips

- Reflect on Verkada's core values and how they resonate with your own.
- Prepare to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role fits into them.
- Think about the kind of team culture you want to build.
- Have a list of thoughtful questions ready for the interviewer.